Today’s card is from the Crazy Sexy Love Notes oracle card deck. Get a deck for yourself here.
Today’s card, showing two happy dogs chasing a tennis ball, is a reminder to us of the importance of play. Now that many of us are staying home as much as possible, we may have much more free time than we are used to having.
While we are at home, many things vie for our attention: household chores, yard work, cooking meals and cleaning up, and more. We may also be spending more time than is good for us watching news about the COVID-19 situation. Remember that although news is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, in a large variety of formats, that availability is for our convenience in accessing the news and should not be used to consume news around the clock.
Importance of Play
It is of vital importance for our mental and emotional health to limit the amount of time we are consuming news and focusing on what we’ve learned. Play can be a much-needed distraction.
If necessary, schedule regular time for play into your daily routine. Set reminders in your calendar on your phone.
How to Play while Spatial Distancing
Let’s assume we’re all practicing the recommended spatial distancing. How can we play with others while we’re in our separate living quarters, sometimes even within the same house? We can get much-needed social contact through:
- Text messages
- Facebook messages
- Letters
- Phone calls
- Video calls via Facetime, Skype, etc
- Group phone calls and video calls
Ideas for Play while Spatial Distancing
Most physical sports that involve group activity are out of the question right now. Gathering at the movies, for picnics, at the bowling alley or skating rink, going to an amusement park: everything like that is also not possible. What can we do instead?
Here are some ideas:
- Contact your neighbors by phone or online and arrange window scavenger hunts. This can even be fun for grown ups!
- Play board games via video call
- Netflix video watch party
- Invent games around the house to play with family members
- Download game apps for your mobile devices: interact with friends
- Join some online role-playing game sites
- Go for a walk or a hike (maintaining safe distance from others)
- Engage in a familiar hobby
- Explore new hobbies: if you can’t get supplies right now, watch some YouTube videos and do other online research
- Read a book
Discussion Questions
- How are you making sure you have enough play time now?
- What play activities are you engaging in?
- Do you have enough people to play with?
As always, we are here for you! Talk with us here or on our Facebook page!
